THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 3, 1995 TAG: 9503020018
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Regarding the Forbes ASAP magazine survey: My husband and I have traveled all over the United States. When we moved to Hampton Roads, it was sight-unseen. We read about the area and found that it would be a wonderful place to live and to raise our children.
My husband could not find a job where we were, and we thought, ``If we are going to be poor, why not be poor by the beach?'' We knew no one here and did not have a job. We had enough only for a rental truck and two months of rent. The first year was difficult, but now we are doing very well.
Hampton Roads is a hidden treasure. There is so much to do here. My children's school is excellent. My children play with children of all races and backgrounds, which enriches their lives. The pleasure of taking a walk or riding a bike by the beach is priceless.
When I go to the Oceanfront in the summer, or Colonial Williamsburg, I feel as if I am somewhere far away, and it costs me nothing. The weather is great - lots of variety but no extremes.
Our financial situation has improved dramatically since we moved here. More important, we have become rich in many priceless ways.
I have been to many of the places that come first in surveys, and a truly smart person would not want to live in many of them.
M. ESTER ROY
Virginia Beach, Feb. 24, 1995 by CNB